urn:taro:utexas.blac.00108Miscellaneous Sound Recordingsat the Benson Latin American CollectionFinding aid encoded by Christian Kelleher, CA, September 2004Finding aid written inEnglish.
Descriptive Summary
Benson Latin American Collection: Miscellaneous CollectionsMiscellaneous Sound Recordings at the Benson Latin American Collection1960s-2000150+ tapesBenson Latin American Collection, The University of Texas at AustinVarious audio recordings in the rare books and manuscripts collections of the Benson Latin American Collection. Include oral histories, lectures, speeches, music, and other audio on phonograph, tape, and digital media.English and Spanish
Scope and Contents Note

Various audio recordings in the rare books and manuscripts collections of the Benson Latin American Collection. Includes oral histories, lectures, speeches, music, and other audio on phonograph, tape, and digital media.

The first series, Oral Histories, lists interviews performed or collected by the Benson Collection or obtained as part of collection materials. Some entries in the inventory reference other collections in the library. The oral histories are listed chronologically or alphabetically.

The second series, Lectures and Speeches, includes recordings of classroom lectures, presentations to conventions, and radio broadcasts and the like. As with many of the amateur recordings in this collection, sound quality varies greatly.

Access Restrictions

Unrestricted.

Use Restrictions

Standard copyright restrictions apply.

Preferred Citation

Cite as: Miscellaneous Sound Recordings, Benson Latin American Collection, the University of Texas at Austin Libraries.

Index Terms

Miscellaneous Sound Recordings at the Benson Latin American Collection are classified under the following Subject Headings:

Mr. Idar talks about his grandparents, shows accompanying census research he has gathered. He describes some of the materials he has donated to the Benson Collection. Talks especially of his grandfather Nicasio Idar (1885-1914) and his political activities in Laredo, Texas.

6228 March 1991 [1 audio cassette]

Mr. Idar tells of his father's and Uncles' activities in politics. Mr. Idar's influences--early education, early work experience, service as civilian employee in England during World War II. Mr. Idar tells of how he met and married his wife, Joan Stringer.

6328 April 1991 [1 audio cassette]

Mr. Idar recounts his experiences verseas serving in China, 1944-1946. Returns to Texas to study journalism at the University of Texas.

6430 May 1991 [1 audio cassette, approx. 80 min.]

In this tape Mr. Idar talks about his student activities at the University of Texas, 1947-1948, particularly about his involvement with the Laredo Club, Club Alba, and the American Veteran's Committee. Idar brought to these organizations' attention a ruling by the Texas Attorney General Price Daniel regarding segregation of "Latin-American" students in Texas schools. Idar addresses the STruggle to have these conditions redressed.

6527 June 1991 [1 audio cassette, approx. 80 min.]

Mr. Idar talks about the period following his graduation in 1949 from UT. His contact and involvement with Dr. Hector P. García and the American G.I. Forum. Also reads correspondence to and from Cristobal Aldrete.

6625 July 1991 [1 audio cassette, approx. 70 min.]

In this tape Mr. Idar discusses his role and circumstances surrounding the Register Case, a Texas redistricting case heard before the U.S. Supreme Court in 1972. These comments were made in the context of the gift Mr. Idar made to the Benson Collection consisting of 8 vlumes of appendices and testimony plus copies of slip opinions. Farther into the interview Mr. Idar discusses various activities he was involved in in the early 1950s vis-a-vis correspondence with Cristobal Aldrete. These activities included a stint with KTXN as a newscaster, lobbying for Mexican American draft board representation, organizing AGIF chapters and locat (Austin) Democratic Party politics, including Pat Mendez's race for Austin City Council in 1951.

Drawing primarily from correspondence with Dr. George I. Sánchez, Mr. Idar talks about the founding and funding of the American Council of Spanish Speaking People (ACSSP). Idar notes activities that the ACSSP was primarily concerned with, issues, etc. Idar also talks about his "Red Scare" experience wherebyan article in the

L.A. Times and picked up by the Daily Worker's wire resulted in charges that Idar and ACSSP were "subversives." (See folder in Idar papers "Houston Chronicle Libel".) Idar also talks about the John Hay Whitney fellowship that allowed him to attend law school while working for the Council.
61130 January 1992 [1 audio cassette]

Mr. Idar mentions his participation in lobbying effort to have college at San Angelo declared a 4-year university. Correspondence with principals of the John Hay Whitney Foundation regarding fellowship. Idar reads from correspondence with Cris Aldrete, primarily 1952-1954. References to: Humphrey hearings in D.C. on "wetbacks"; National Democratic convention in 1952, Chicago; Sanderson, Texas, desegregation case; 1952 presidential campaign/election in Del Rio and East Austin; with references to Gus Garcia, Dr. Hector P. García, Maury Maverick, Sr., Hernandez case and Cris's political work in AGIF and Del Rio City Council. Idar reads from miscellaneous correspondence including with Librado Peña from Laredo about poll tax. Idar discusses Longoria rae for School Board in Austin; his participation in citizen advisory committee to review Austin City Charter, and discussion of Austin City election in 1952-1953.

Mr. Idar discusses his law school experiences and charts out the number and percentage of Mexican American law students during the period of 1954-1956. Idar also reads exceptes of correspondence to and from Dr. Hector P. García. Topics covered includ AFL and CIO tensions in the AGIF; Governor Shivers' attempts to curry favor with LULAC; costs of the Hernandez case; attempts to organize AGIF chapter in Dallas; discord in AGIF over attempts to tighten up management and make García more accountable to AGIF membership; and AFL/CIO involvement in poll tax drive in the Valley.

Mr. Idar talks about the AGIF and Raza support of Ralph Yarborough in 1954 and 1956 gubernatorial campaigns.

62016 October 1992 [1 audio cassette]

Mr. Idar reads from and comments on correspondence relating to Ralph Yarborough. Disillusionment with Democrat liberals is recounted.

62111 December 1992 [1 audio cassette]

Mr. Idar talks about his involvment in the 1955 Austin City Council elections and the election of Dr. Ramiro Casso to the McAllen School Board in 1959. Also, he discusses some of the issues he faced with regards to braceros and 'wetbacks.'

62213 January 1993 [1 audio cassette]

Mr. Idar talks about the McAllen School Board, city council elections, and election controversies, especially Rafael "Ralph" Flores elections.

The José Angel Gutiérrez Papers contain a number of audio and video recordings including oral history interviews with and by Gutiérrez. Subjects include: Hijos de América, Colegio de Maestros, Roberto Mondragón, Mario G. Obledo, William Velásquez, Efraín Martínez, and others.